U.S. passenger rail is on the cusp of unprecedented modernization, with billions of dollars being funneled into projects updating old infrastructure, expanding capacity, and adding high-speed service. From the busy Northeast Corridor to new private ventures in the South and West, modernization projects are reshaping how Americans travel by train. Below is a region-organized, guide to the most consequential ongoing and planned project:
Northeast
The Northeast remains the country’s most congested rail corridor, where population concentrations and economic hubs are driving massive upgrades.
East River Tunnel Rehabilitation (New York, NY): Construction started in 2025 on a $1.6 billion project to replace two century-old tunnels that were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. With an expected finish by 2027, the project will revamp tunnel structure, power, and signals to enhance dependability for Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road.
Gateway Program – Hudson Tunnel (NY–NJ): Critical to the growth of the region’s rail, the Gateway Program includes two new Hudson River rail tubes and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel. The $16 billion investment is scheduled to finalize enhanced Penn Station capacity by the late 2030s. On February 3, 2025, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) Board of Commissioners awarded contract for the Manhattan Tunnel Project part of Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP).
Penn Station Access (Bronx, NY): For the first time, direct access by Metro-North trains to Penn Station is arriving. Four new stations will be constructed in the Bronx, with opening in 2027, more directly linking the Bronx and Connecticut to Manhattan. The USDOT, Amtrak unveiled the $7B redevelopment plan and timeline for New York Penn Station on Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Portal North Bridge Replacement (Newark, NJ): A $1.56 billion project is being built to replace the 110-year-old Portal Bridge with a new fixed-span crossing of the Hackensack River. Set to be finished in 2027, the bridge will allow trains to cross at up to 90 mph speeds without the delay generated by the aging drawbridge.
Connecticut River Bridge Replacement (Old Saybrook–Old Lyme, CT): Work is under way on a $1.3 billion undertaking to replace one of the Northeast Corridor’s oldest movable bridges. A new double-track bridge will accommodate up to 70 mph, with completion expected in the late 2020s.
Susquehanna River Rail Bridge (Maryland): Amtrak is replacing the 1906 Susquehanna River Bridge with two new fixed spans. At an estimated cost of $2.7B, the project continues through 2036 and will eliminate one of the corridor’s last movable bridges.
Pelham Bay Bridge (New York, NY): Early design work is under way to replace the 1907 Pelham Bay movable bridge with a new structure carrying more speed. Construction may begin before the next decade.
Bush River Bridge Replacement (MD) – Replace the 110-year-old movable swing bridge between Edgewood and Perryman, MD (north of Baltimore). Scope: a new fixed two-track bridge (supporting up to 160 mph) and associated track/signal upgrade. Status: in planning (PE/NEPA through 2028); construction will start in 2030.
Midwest
Chicago remains the nation’s rail hub, and the Midwest is investing heavily to eliminate bottlenecks and boost service.
Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP): This multi-billion-dollar megaproject will redesign Chicago Union Station and surrounding rail approaches. Improvements include new platforms, expanded concourses, refurbished tracks, and thorough bridge work, which will allow more trains to travel through the city.
Chicago–St. Louis High-Speed Corridor: Service improvements now allow for trains to operate at 110 mph, cutting travel time and enhancing one of the nation’s busiest state-funded corridors.
Southwest Michigan Track Restoration: Restoration of 19 miles of double track from Glenwood to Niles is ongoing with completion in 2026 to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance Wolverine and Blue Water route reliability.
Northern Lights Express (Minnesota): Minnesota is building a new passenger connection between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Duluth via Superior, Wisconsin. State funds and federal counterparts will finance the 152-mile corridor, which targets 110-mph speeds.
South
The South is one of the nation’s most rapidly expanding regions for passenger rail, fueled by private enterprise and state partnerships.
Brightline Florida (Miami–Orlando): The nation’s first new privately financed intercity rail service began in 2023, offering 125-mph service from Orlando to Miami. The line is already expanding with new stations and future growth.
Brightline Tampa Extension: Plans for the westward extension from Orlando to Tampa are in progress, with funding requests now awaiting approval. The project will add new Lakeland and Tampa stations, building Florida’s vision for high-speed long-term transportation.
Texas Central Railway (Dallas–Houston): A privately funded high-speed line between Dallas and Houston is in advanced planning. The Japanese Shinkansen-based system could cut travel time to 90 minutes, though final approvals are still pending.
Gulf Coast Corridor Restoration: Passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile will return after a two-decade absence. Please double-check responses. Station upgrades are underway, with trains expected to begin running soon.
North Carolina Rail Upgrades: North Carolina is expanding service along the congested Raleigh–Charlotte corridor. A $170M effort will increase tracks and signals, while a separate $1.1M federal grant may enable new Raleigh–Richmond service.
West
In the West, the private and public sectors will both provide the country’s first true high-speed rail networks.
California High-Speed Rail: Building continues in California’s Central Valley on the ambitious San Francisco–Los Angeles route. With costs now estimated as high as $128 billion and opening likely in about 2038. Officials are exploring phased openings to begin service sooner. However, the project has faced many setbacks in recent months. Officials on Thursday August 28, said the project moving forward with a tighter timeline, as state officials prepare to install electrified tracks by 2026.
Brightline West (Las Vegas–Los Angeles): A $3 billion federal grant and 2024 groundbreaking have launched development of a 218-mile high-speed line between Las Vegas and Southern California. The electric infrastructure will use 200 mph trains, opening for service in 2028.
AmeriStarRail, a Delaware-based private transportation firm, has submitted a formal pitch to Amtrak for a joint venture to launch what it’s calling the “Transcontinental Chief.”
Cascadia High-Speed Rail (Pacific Northwest): Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia are working on a high-speed corridor connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. With fresh federal grants for planning to support them, the project is underway in preliminary stages to complement existing Amtrak Cascades service.
Seattle King Street Yard Upgrade (WA) – Amtrak maintenance facility expansion in Seattle. Scope: new 100,000 sq ft inspection/maintenance bays for Amtrak Cascades (Airo) trains. Objective: service new Cascades trainsets (2026+) and improve reliability. Status: construction started 2025 (grading/pile-driving); facility completion expected by 2027.
A New Era for U.S. Rail
From tunnel rehabilitations in New York to new high-speed corridors in California and Texas, America’s rail infrastructure is undergoing its most dramatic transformation in centuries. Part federal investment, part state cooperation, and part private entrepreneurship. These projects aim to create a quicker, more efficient, and cleaner rail network across the nation.
